Aussies facing unfamiliar foe in first Super Eight clash: T20 World ...

Bangladesh has been restricted to 8-140 after Pat Cummins claimed a hat-trick during Australia’s crucial T20 World Cup Super Eight clash at Antigua’s Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Friday morning AEST.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa (2-24) and part-timer Glenn Maxwell (1-14) ripped through Bangladesh’s top order after Australian captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and chose to bowl first, before Cummins wrapped up the innings with a trio of wickets.

The New South Welshman, who finished with figures of 3-29 from four overs, became just the second Australian to achieve the rare feat in a Men’s T20 World Cup alongside Brett Lee.

Australia is chasing a 141-run target for victory.

MATCH CENTRE: T20 World Cup, Australia vs Bangladesh live scorecard

Mitchell Starc created Australia’s first breakthrough in the opening over of the match, with Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan tentatively prodding at a delivery with no footwork and chopping back onto his stumps for a third-ball duck. The dismissal made Starc the leading wicket-taker in World Cup events, bringing his career tally to 95 scalps.

After a cautious start, Tigers captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and opener Litton Das picked up the tempo once the fielding resections were lifted, combining for a 58-run partnership for the second wicket.

However, as he’s done so often before, Zampa struck just when the Australians desperately needed a wicket, bowling Das for 16 after the right-hander attempted an ill-judged sweep.

Rishad Hossain was promoted up the order to No. 4, but the gamble backfired when he recklessly charged down the deck and top-edged a wild slog against Maxwell, caught at short third man for 2.

The dangerous Shanto departed in the 13th over after missing a sweep shot against Zampa, trapped LBW for 41, before seamer Marcus Stoinis swallowed a leading edge off his own bowling to remove veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for 8.

Cummins knocked over Mahmudullah and Mahedi Hasan in consecutive deliveries before starting his following over with another wicket to become the fourth Australian to take a hat-trick in men’s T20Is.

Towhid Hridoy, who was Cummins’ third victim, contributed a handy 40 (28) during the death overs to steer the Tigers towards a defendable total.

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